Murray River Experience
The Murray River Experience Master Plan (MRE) remains a cornerstone in the strategic development of open spaces along the Murray River and Lake Hume within the Albury Local Government Area. Originating from a community-driven vision in 2007, this comprehensive plan has continually shaped the city’s connection with its natural surroundings.
Background
The Murray River Experience Master Plan (MRE) remains a cornerstone in the strategic development of open spaces along the Murray River and Lake Hume within the Albury Local Government Area. Originating from a community-driven vision in 2007, this comprehensive plan has continually shaped the city’s connection with its natural surroundings.
Endorsed by Albury City Council in 2007, the MRE identified focal points along the Murray River and Lake Hume which included:
- Wonga Wetlands
- West Albury Reserves (Padman/Mates Park, Kremur Street Boat Ramp and the wetlands in West Albury through to Horseshoe Lagoon);
- Central Riverside Parks (Oddies Creek Park, Noreuil Park, Noreuil Park Oval, Australia Park, Hovell Tree Park, Albury Riverside Precinct, Albury Swim Centre, Albury Sports Ground, Monument Hill and linking to the CBD);
- Doctors Point Reserve;
- Mungabareena Reserve and Eastern Hill Reserve;
- Lake Hume Reserves (including Apex Park);
- Bowna Waters Reserve; and
- Table Top Reserve.
The Wagirra Trail is also a major element of the Murray River Experience Master Plan. At present a constructed trail links Wonga Wetlands in the west to the Central Albury Riverside Parks and to the Wodonga trail network. The Yindymarra Sculpture Walk features stunning contemporary Aboriginal sculptures along the section of trail between Kremur Street Boat Ramp and Horseshoe Lagoon.
The ultimate aim is to construct a trail to Lake Hume with the short-term priority to connect to Mungabareena Reserve.
Guided by overarching design drivers, the plan aimed to strengthen community ties with the river, enhance accessibility, ensure quality amenities, promote diverse experiences, and improve the river’s health in fostering the Aboriginal community’s connection.
Murray River Experience Master Plan Endorsed
At the Council meeting held on the 11 November 2024, Council endorsed the following Murray River Experience associated master plans
- Part A – Murray River Experience Master Plan Review (Revision B) [15.24 MB | PDF]
- Part B – Central Albury Riverside Parks Master Plan (Revision B) [11.64 MB | PDF]
- Lake Hume Reserves Master Plan [15.24 MB | PDF]
Phase Two Consultation Update
There was significant community interest, with more than 700 submissions received through the consultation process. We are currently reviewing this feedback and preparing a report for Council that will include all the community submissions, describe the key results, identify proposed refinements, and outline proposed next steps for further community consultation. We anticipate presenting this report to Council in the middle of the year.
There was a lot of positive feedback for many of the elements and priorities identified within the draft Murray River Experience Master Plan (Parts A and B) and the draft Lake Hume Reserves Master Plan.
However, there was less support for the draft Noreuil Park Riverbank Rehabilitation Concept Plan, with the community raising several concerns and providing extensive feedback.
Key themes of the feedback included:
- Too much concrete, which will be hot and will detract from the site.
- Keep the mature river red gums, as they provide great shade and habitat for wildlife.
- Keep Noreuil Park natural with the mature trees and grassed areas.
- Investigate alternative locations for all-abilities river access at low levels.
- Remove the proposed south-western BBQ area.
Given the above community feedback, we will now develop a revised Noreuil Park foreshore concept plan with alternative options, which we will share with the community for further input and feedback later this year.
Phase Two Consultation
Phase two consultation closed on 5 April 2024. We are currently working through the feedback received. The documents available for reviews as part of this consultation are listed below
- Part A – Murray River Experience Master Plan Review (Draft)
- Part B – Central Albury Riverside Parks Master Plan (Draft)
- Draft Lake Hume Reserves Master Plan
- Draft Noreuil Park Riverbank Rehabilitation Concept Plan
- Murray River Experience Master Plan (2007)
More information is available on the Have Your Say webpage.
Categories
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